3 Count: Artificial Comedians

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1: Sarah Silverman Sues Meta, OpenAI for Copyright Infringement

First off today, Jack Queen at Reuters reports that comedian Sarah Silverman has joined forces with two authors to file a pair of artificial intelligence-related lawsuits, one against Facebook owner Meta and the other against ChatGPT owner OpenAI.

The lawsuits allege that the two companies used copyright-protected work to train generative AI systems. For proof of this, they point to the fact that both systems can produce summaries of work owned by the plaintiffs. In addition to seeking unspecified damages, the lawsuits are also seeking class action status.

Neither OpenAI nor Meta had any comment on the story. However, the lawsuit joins one of many filed against these and other AI-companies over the alleged infringing use of copyright-protected works to train their systems.

2: Film Companies Demand Names of Reddit Users Who Discussed Piracy in 2011

Next up today, Joe Brodkin at Ars Technica reports that a group of independent film studios have filed a motion to compel, hoping that a judge will force the social media site Reddit to turn over information about users who posted about piracy on the site going as far back as 2011.

The case itself pits the filmmakers against the internet service provider RCN. The studios allege that RCN did not do enough to discourage piracy on its network and is liable for the infringement that took place on it. As part of that case, the studios are subpoenaing Reddit, hoping that the site will turn over evidence that can be used in the case.

However, Reddit has responded to that motion to compel, saying that their users have a right to anonymous speech and, perhaps more importantly, that there are other ways to get the requested evidence. Previously, Reddit defeated a similar motion in May with nearly identical arguments.

3: Showtime’s Espinoza Says Piracy Is Depressing PPV Buys By At Least 30-40%

Finally today, Manouk Akopyan at Boxing Scene reports that an official at Showtime, Stephen Espinoza, released a statement indicating that, according to their best information, that piracy has caused a 30-40% reduction in pay-per-view buys.

Showtime is well known for putting on boxing pay-per-views, having entered the space in 1986 and continuing to this day. However, Espinoza has expressed frustration over the fact their streams are widely pirated, claiming that the lost revenue makes it difficult to fund large and heavily anticipated events.

Espinoza also said that, while sponsorships can do help make up some of the difference, that they are limited in what they can do there as, “there are simply some brands who do not want to be associated with something that violent or bloody.”

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